Baulsphere

Mimlu Sen is a writer par excellence. Although this is her first book that I have read, she has a good hand at describing this autobiographical life-changing experience with the Bauls.

The Bauls are nomadic performers from Bengal, and Mimlu Sen wonderfully describes the way of life and philosophy of the Bauls as wild and free traveling minstrels with their Khamak or Ektara, replete with a mystical outlook towards life. The origin of the Bauls is unclear, but their thought incorporates facets of various spiritual beliefs such as Tantricism, Vaishnavism, Budhism and even Sufi Islam.

Mimlu Sen's life begins in the tranquil hills of Shillong, from where she moves to Kolkata, and then to Paris. There she meets her life mate Paban Das Baul, a travelling Baul performer, at a Baul Concert in Paris in 1982. Though living a contented life with two kids Duniya and Krishna, she decides to move back to Bengal, their common heritage.

Mimlu Sen wonderfully describes these wanderers as along with her and Paban's experiences on their wandering journey. The book has interesting descriptions about the Kenduli festival and the long-winded performances, the Vaishnava experience at Agrodwip, encounters with the captivating guru Hari Goshain, and Mimlu Sen's own experiences of the rural culture of Bengal.

The human tragedy encountered in rural Bengal as described in the book is really painful. However, the book wonderfully describes the Baul outlook towards life - a bodily expression of their declaration of divine love in worldly terms. This is a quintessential way of a Baul declaring his love for his 'khepi' or dearly loved.

The author makes liberal use of photographs and many Bengali words to describe her experience with the Bauls. Her narrative makes the Bauls in the book come alive and helps the readers connect with them. Also included are some verses and romantic poems by some of the legendary Bauls.

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